President Donald Trump is exploring the idea of the U.S. government taking direct stakes in leading AI companies, an approach putting him in alignment with some of his critics. This plan suggests giving shares to the American public, effectively creating a partnership with the government.
Support from Various Figures
The notion has found backing from figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI. Politicians and the AI industry are examining the significant wealth technology might generate. Reports in early June indicated the Trump administration commenced discussions with AI companies about potential equity stakes.
Government-Industry Partnerships
Trump expressed interest in engaging tech executives to discuss the idea further. He suggested that public ownership in AI enterprises could greatly benefit citizens, emphasizing potential wealth generation. Notably, Trump previously involved government stakes in over 20 companies during his second term.
Last August, the administration acquired nearly 10 percent of Intel, exemplifying Trump’s transactional approach to governance. Tad DeHaven from the Cato Institute described Trump’s administration as focusing on dealmaking and using transactions to exert control and leverage.
“We’re talking about giving back something to the public,” Trump stated, envisioning significant financial benefits for Americans.
Technological Developments
The Hill’s Technology newsletter tracks developments from Washington to Silicon Valley. It highlights insights into policy impacting the tech sector and analyses key movements within the industry.
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